“Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority” (Lk 9:1).

Jesus summons us as he did the Twelve and empowers us for mission in his name. The expression of our service is unique to each of us. We might resist exploring or entering into a deeper commitment of our faith though because we might feel anxious or afraid that God may call us to do something that we would never want to do, send us where we would never want to go, or that we couldn’t conceive we are capable of. There also may be some trepidation even when we are clear of the direction God wants us to move in which may arise from our hesitancy to change and move out from our comfort zone. Ultimately, God wants for us what we want for ourselves deep down. We may not even know what that is, but God does.

God knows what will give us and with whom we will experience meaning, fulfillment, and joy in our lives. The challenge for us is to come to know this for ourselves. The work of discipleship begins by accepting the invitation of God to walk with him and trust that he knows what he is doing and where he is leading us! No matter what our age, we are never too young or too old to begin or recommit to the journey along the path of discipleship. One good practice is to reflect on our dreams and desires, bring them to God in prayer, and imagine ourselves embracing what we desire.

When I first joined the Franciscans to study for the priesthood in the early ’90s, I imagined from time to time my ordination day, especially in our second year as we were contemplating temporary vows. When I did so, a puzzling result consistently arose. I did not imagine feeling any excitement or joy. So, a year and a half into formation, I decided to take a leave of absence. I had asked to take off a year, but the minimum time for a leave of absence was two.

Though I balked at first about the two-year time frame required, I came to see the wisdom of my formation director. I would have come back after a year. About a year and a half away, I then realized that my vocational path was leading me to Matrimony and not Holy Orders. Eighteen months after I came to that realization, I met JoAnn. As our relationship grew and we began to talk about marriage, whenever I envisioned our wedding day, I felt excitement and joy. Each year that we had together built on the one before. We grew closer to God and each other right up until the day of her death.

God led me to the Franciscans at twenty-four, led me out, and then he led me to JoAnn. Almost three years after JoAnn’s death, he led me to seminary to be formed as a diocesan priest. Periodically when I imagined my ordination day, even though the schedule was more intense this time around, unlike during my novitiate year with the Franciscans, this time I felt excited. These past two years as parochial vicar at Holy Cross Catholic Church has been wonderful. God is not done, he sent another invitation through Bishop Manuel. In addition, I am now the new director of seminarians, vocations, and our new discernment house. Each step with God has had its own challenges, but each has been a blessing.

God loves us more than we can ever imagine, he has a plan for each and every one of us, and he knows what will fulfill us. When we ponder our dreams and desires, and as we investigate, research, explore potential opportunities and continue to pray and discern each step, we will come to see that as we align ourselves with God’s will, that makes all the difference. We are not alone in this process, and we have a God who can see the full picture, where we see only a small part.

There will be fits and starts, missteps and slips, doubts as well as confirmations, and desolations as well as consolations. The key is to remain faithful, to continue to trust in Jesus, and he will continue to accompany us. As Jesus did with the Apostles, he will give us the resources and strength we need, and send the Holy Spirit to empower and guide us. The process of discerning God’s will for our lives is not just for ourselves alone. Jesus is preparing us for mission and as we follow the lead of the Holy Spirit he will heal and transform us. As we experience more peace, joy, and love, we will have more to share!

Photo: We are not all called to be Apostles like the Twelve, but we are all called to serve in our unique way.

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, September 23, 2026